Serological Evidence of <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> and Spotted Fever Group <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. Exposure in Horses from Central Italy
<i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> and <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. are tick-borne bacteria of veterinary and human concern. In view of the One-Health concept, the present study wanted to evaluate the spreading of these pathogens in horses living in central Italy. In particular, the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2019-06-01
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| Series: | Pathogens |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/8/3/88 |
| _version_ | 1818015333088231424 |
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| author | Valentina Virginia Ebani |
| author_facet | Valentina Virginia Ebani |
| author_sort | Valentina Virginia Ebani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> and <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. are tick-borne bacteria of veterinary and human concern. In view of the One-Health concept, the present study wanted to evaluate the spreading of these pathogens in horses living in central Italy. In particular, the aim of the investigation was to verify the exposure to <i>A. phagocytophilum</i> in order to update the prevalence of this pathogen in the equine population from this area, and to spotted fever group (SFG) <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. to evaluate a possible role of horses in the epidemiology of rickettsiosis. Indirect immunofluorescent assay was carried out to detect antibodies against <i>A. phagocytophilum</i> and SFG (spotted fever group) <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. in blood serum samples collected from 479 grazing horses living in central Italy during the period from 2013 to 2018. One hundred and nine (22.75%) horses were positive for <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>, 72 (15.03%) for SFG <i>Rickettsia</i> spp., and 19 (3.96%) for both antigens. The obtained results confirm the occurrence of <i>A. phagocytophilum</i> in equine populations, and also suggest the involvement of horses in the epidemiology of SFG rickettsiosis. In both cases, in view of the zoonotic aspect of these pathogens and the frequent contact between horses and humans, the monitoring of equine populations could be useful for indication about the spreading of the tick-borne pathogens in a certain geographic area. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T06:56:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c20046eb0ac447109a8fa0e3ee2ae049 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T06:56:26Z |
| publishDate | 2019-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj.art-c20046eb0ac447109a8fa0e3ee2ae0492022-12-22T02:06:53ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172019-06-01838810.3390/pathogens8030088pathogens8030088Serological Evidence of <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> and Spotted Fever Group <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. Exposure in Horses from Central ItalyValentina Virginia Ebani0Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy<i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> and <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. are tick-borne bacteria of veterinary and human concern. In view of the One-Health concept, the present study wanted to evaluate the spreading of these pathogens in horses living in central Italy. In particular, the aim of the investigation was to verify the exposure to <i>A. phagocytophilum</i> in order to update the prevalence of this pathogen in the equine population from this area, and to spotted fever group (SFG) <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. to evaluate a possible role of horses in the epidemiology of rickettsiosis. Indirect immunofluorescent assay was carried out to detect antibodies against <i>A. phagocytophilum</i> and SFG (spotted fever group) <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. in blood serum samples collected from 479 grazing horses living in central Italy during the period from 2013 to 2018. One hundred and nine (22.75%) horses were positive for <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>, 72 (15.03%) for SFG <i>Rickettsia</i> spp., and 19 (3.96%) for both antigens. The obtained results confirm the occurrence of <i>A. phagocytophilum</i> in equine populations, and also suggest the involvement of horses in the epidemiology of SFG rickettsiosis. In both cases, in view of the zoonotic aspect of these pathogens and the frequent contact between horses and humans, the monitoring of equine populations could be useful for indication about the spreading of the tick-borne pathogens in a certain geographic area.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/8/3/88horses<i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i>spotted fever group <i>Rickettsia</i> spp.zoonosistick-borne infections |
| spellingShingle | Valentina Virginia Ebani Serological Evidence of <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> and Spotted Fever Group <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. Exposure in Horses from Central Italy Pathogens horses <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> spotted fever group <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. zoonosis tick-borne infections |
| title | Serological Evidence of <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> and Spotted Fever Group <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. Exposure in Horses from Central Italy |
| title_full | Serological Evidence of <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> and Spotted Fever Group <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. Exposure in Horses from Central Italy |
| title_fullStr | Serological Evidence of <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> and Spotted Fever Group <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. Exposure in Horses from Central Italy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Serological Evidence of <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> and Spotted Fever Group <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. Exposure in Horses from Central Italy |
| title_short | Serological Evidence of <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> and Spotted Fever Group <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. Exposure in Horses from Central Italy |
| title_sort | serological evidence of i anaplasma phagocytophilum i and spotted fever group i rickettsia i spp exposure in horses from central italy |
| topic | horses <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i> spotted fever group <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. zoonosis tick-borne infections |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/8/3/88 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT valentinavirginiaebani serologicalevidenceofianaplasmaphagocytophilumiandspottedfevergroupirickettsiaisppexposureinhorsesfromcentralitaly |